The craft were built by Metal Shark Alumnium Boats in Jeanerette, La. The cruising speed is 35 knots at 3,000 revolutions per minute. The top speed is 40 knots at 2,340 RPM.

The Corps is also taking delivery of two SAFE boats in the Defender Class. They are powered by twin Honda 225 horsepower four-stroke outboards. They were originally built for the Coast Guard in 2005 and acquired for canal duty in 2012.

The cruising speed is 35 knots at 4,800 RPM. The top speed is 46 knots at 6,000 RPM.

The canal marine operations section is perhaps the most well known for its highly visible canal patrol, especially when the Buzzards Bay Rail Road Bridge is lowered.

The section, however, also renders assistance to boaters in trouble and removes vessel personnel in imminent danger of sinking.

Boat crews enforce maritime safety, rules and regulations and make daily inspection trips to view infrastructure along the waterway. They also report pollution in the water and move to protect marine mammals observed in the canal.

The Corps is no longer calling its patrol craft by local town and village names; such as Onset, Marion and Cataumet.